Nicks POV
“Calum!” I called after the young boy, coughing and waving my arms through the smoke.

“Mrs. Katherine!!!” I heard him call out, then painfully cough.

“Calum! We need to go this is dangerous!” I yelled, looking around his smokey condo. The blaring alarm was deafening my ears and making it hard for me to hear while the smoke was making it hard to see. I walked past a living room and was about to pass a kitchen, but stopped when I spotted a flicker. Flames. Fiery red and bright orange flames jumped out of the oven, spraying everything in the kitchen. “Calum!?” I called out more frantically. I ran down the hall, looking through various rooms and found Calum in a room at the end of the hall.

“Mrs. Katherine!” Calum yelled, half his body under what I assume his bed.

“Calum we need to go! NOW!” I yelled, bending down to grab his spread out legs. Calum yelped and kicked his legs out vigorously, me just barely dodging his blows.

“I almost got her!” He yelled, still kicking his legs. Suddenly, a white streak shot out from under the bed and I jumped out at the last second to catch it. The cat hissed and scratched at my hands.

“Ow! Hey!” I yelped and winced, but didn’t let the cat go. I stood up Calum scurried out from under the bed and scooped up the cat in his arms.

“Mrs. Katherine!” he smiled and nuzzled the cats wet, pink nose.

“Great, now lets go!” I yelled, getting more and more worried. The smoke around us only increased and the hot temperature was making me sweat. I wiped my slick forehead and grabbed Calums elbow. I led him out of his room and down the hall quickly. Tears started to prickle at our eyes, the smoke stinging them harshly, but we blinked hard enough to hold them off.

Flames now danced on furniture in the living room and started to paint the walls with a black burn. I coughed and struggled to see as my eyes blurred. Suddenly, the part of the staircase that was burning fell apart and fell. I protectively stood in front of Calum and shield my face with one arm, shielding Calum with the other. The stairs fell in front of me in a pile of burning rubbish, blocking a good amount of our way. Flames reaches out and lightly grazed me, burning my pale skin. I hissed and backed away in pain, bumping into Calum. Calcium swayed to the side, looking sick and faint.

“Calum!” I yelled, steadying him. The smoke was really starting to affect him. It was affecting me too, but I had to stay focused.

“What do we do?” he asked weakly, coughing and clutching onto his petrified cat.

“Go around it!” I squinted at him and replied over the roars of the flames and blaring of the sirens. My eyes started prickling again from the heat and smoke, but I roughly rubbed them away. I grabbed Calums elbow once again and led him to go around the big flaming pile that once used to be apart of his staircase.

Just as we were going around the pile, the couch burst into even bigger flames and shot out in hot spurts at us. “Get down!” I screamed and pushed Calum ahead of me to the ground. I ducked down and landed pretty hard on the floor. The smoke now made me dizzy and I struggled to breathe. Flames laughed all around us and I was beginning to lose hope. Calum was ahead of me, he could make it. “Calum!” I called out to him, but he didn’t move.

“Uhhh..” he moaned, but didn’t move.

“Hey!” I called out to him again. Suddenly, something heavy fell on top of me. “Ahh!” I screamed in pain. I struggled to see what fell on my, but when a burnt book landed next to my head, I knew that it was a bookshelf. Tears now flowed down my cheeks. Not because of the smoke, not because of the heat, because I knew the truth. I knew that I was going to die. I was going to die without saying I love you to my friends and family one last time. I was going to die without telling Zayn that I like him. I was going to die without telling Zayn that I loved him. It’s not just some schoolboy crush. It was more. It was love.

Or maybe I’m just saying that because I’m going to die.

Zayns beautiful smile popped in my head, his long eyelashes and silky hair. His tanned, smooth skin and pink lips. I remember his voice in my head...saying You’re my best friend, so that means we can’t leave each other. I remember when he told me that one night in his room. And that’s all we ever were, best friends. It’s sad to die without having the person you love know that you love them. I coughed as I sobbed, causing me to choke for air that wasn’t granted to me. My heart was breaking, ripping into two, burning with the flames. I felt myself sweating more and more and the heat was starting to become unbearable. I let my eyes slowly droop down, letting them shut forever.

“Don’t you dare give up on me” a familiar british accent spoke. My eyes shot opened and I strained to look up. I saw Zayn standing right in front of me.

“Zayn...” I weakly said, painfully peering up at him.

“Get up” he said, looking down at me.

“I can’t...” I replied, tears and smoke slightly blurring my vision.

“I said Get. Up.” he said more harshly.

“Zayn I can’t! I can’t okay? I can’t tell you that I like you, I can’t tell you that I love you!” I cried out, my heart breaking more when I was sure that there was nothing left to break.

“You can tell me that after you get up” he said, glaring down at me.

“Why..?” I asked, practically pleading.

“Because, You’re my best friend, we can’t leave each other” he smirked then disappeared into thin air. I blinked and looked around into the flames. He wasn’t there, but his words were. They clung to the smoky air, the words replaying in my mind.

“Hell yeah we can’t leave each other” I grunted. I mustered up all the strength I had left and pulled myself out from under the burning bookcase. I crawled over to Calum on all fours, coughing and spurting. When I reached him, he had already been passed out. By now, if we made it out alive, it would be a miracle.

I positioned myself so I could hold Calum over my shoulder and have his limp cat tucked in my arm. I grunted as I felt his weight on my shoulder, but it didn’t stop me. Nothing can. Well, maybe the flames and burning obstacles in my way, but still. It felt as if everything was in slow motion as I jogged and dodged the burning furniture and kitchen. I barely made it out the front door, shouts and water spraying in my direction.

“Look!” somebody shouted as I staggered through the smoke. I dragged my legs, my breath coming out in ragged gasps. Dizzy, light headed. I couldn’t walk straight. I wasn’t getting enough air, my muscles weren’t feeling any relief, I need to just let go. As I fell to the ground, I heard the one voice that kept me going. Zayn.

“Nick!” I heard him yell. If I could smile, I would. I felt Calums weight slip off me as I fell to the ground. I let my eyes shut, not having the willpower to open them. The hard surface wasn’t very welcoming and I let out a painful moan. People dressed in blue turned me around and started touching all over.

“Go away” I weakly protested. They were touching painful burns and speaking in an annoyingly fast pace. A mask was strapped onto my face and I gasps, breathing in the fresh air. I can breathe..sort of. I was still coughing and my breath was still ragged. I could hear Zayn yelling in the background, but I couldn’t zero in on what he was saying. My ears were ringing and there was just so much noise. The hard ground was replaced by a stretcher, with soft pillows might I add. I felt a pressure in my hand, followed by a squeeze.

“Nick, don’t you ever do that again!” Zayn yelled. I tried to open my eyes fully, but they only opened to tiny slits.

“Zayn..” I breathed out, barely making out his face. My voice was so low, only I could hear it. That’s the last thing I remember after waking up in the hospital. I rapidly blinked against the harsh lights and let out a groan. My body throbbed and I could feel my skin uncomfortably tingle. I felt incredibly tired, like I couldn’t do anything without raising my heart rate. An oxygen mask was on my face, making me feel constricted.

“Nick?” I heard a soft voice say. I closed my eyes hard before opening them again, my vision now focused. I was hooked up to machines and bandages patched my arms. A familiar head of raven hair lay on my lap and my eyes widened, but I didn’t dare to move. His eyebrows were furrowed and his cute lips were set in a frown. His usually perfect hair was a little flat. He looked so pained yet gorgeous. I looked over in the corner and saw Nikki balled in a chair in the corner, her eyes wide as they started at me. “Nick!” she gasped in relief and rushed over to my side. I mustered up weak smile through the oxygen mask, my lips chapped. “How do you feel?” she asked, reaching to grab my hand, but then snatched her hand back as if she wasn’t allowed to touch me. She stiffly just places her hand on her cast.

She looked so tired and dead. The bags under her eyes were turning a faint purple, unlike Zayns and her hair looked like she pulled at it for hours on end. Her cheeks were stained with tears and her eyes were a reddish yellow color. Lack of sleep. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. My throat felt dry and scratchy, a very uncomfortable feeling. I frowned at myself in confusion and Nikki quickly but gently, took off the mask and handed me a cup of water. I slowly and painfully lifted my arm up to grab the cup, but Zayn stirred and his eyes fluttered open.

“NICK!” he yelled after staring at me for a few astonished seconds and I winced at the loud noise. Zayn didn’t hesitate to hug me, but as gently as he could, also knocking the cup of water over as he did so. To my relief, Nikki didn’t seemed bothered by it and just cleaned it up. I opened my mouth to say something to Zayn, but again, nothing came out. As if on cue, Nikki was holding up another cup of water to me. I reached up to grab it, but Zayn stopped me. “Let me” Zayn said, slowly taking the cup from Nikki. She smiled softly and nodded. Zayn turned back to me with teary eyes and gently lifted up my chin with his finger. Even in the state I’m in, I still managed to blush at the contact of his finger on my chin“Open..” he choked out and I slowly opened my mouth. Zayn placed the cup to my lips and tilted it.

Water flushed into my mouth and down my throat, refreshing me. I took greedy gulps, not caring about the water dripping down my chin. Zayn pulled away the empty cup and handed it to Nikki to fill up again. I opened my mouth again, and this time, I found my voice.

“H-hi..” I stuttered. Zayn smiled down at me and took my hand in his.

“Hi” he cutely replied, squeezing my hand. “How are you feeling?” he asked. I could now see the full extent of how worn down he was. His eyes were a reddish yellow also, and he looked slightly pale, considering the fact that he’s so tan. I could see stress wrinkles on his forehead and at the corner of his mouth.

“Sore” I replied. “And itchy” I added, looking down at the itchy bandages.

“Yeah, you’re gonna feel like that after what you did” Nikki said, handing me another cup of water. This time, Zayn let me take it, but I didn’t drink out of it. I liked Zayn helping me, so I just held it in my hands, hoping that he would get the point. Suddenly, my mind clicked.

“Hows Calum?” I asked, looking at Nikki. A wide grin spread across her tired face, just sparking a little life into her.

“He’s okay, thanks to you” she said, like she was a proud mother. “And the cat is okay too” she added. I sighed in relief and briefly closed my eyes.

“Don’t ever scare me like that again” Zayn said, bringing me to open my eyes. I look at him a little shocked.

“What? But Ca-”

“Nick, I thought I lost you! Seeing you fall to the ground was the worst feeling ever! I thought I lost my best friend..my mate..” Zayn said, looking deep into my eyes.

“I’m so-”

“No. You’re gonna have to make it up to me. I’m taking care of your burns and you are not leaving my sight for the next couple of weeks, you got that? That means sleeping over at Simons every night, walking to school with us, even going grocery shopping with us” he said in all seriousness.

“Don’t you think that’s a little too overboard?” I asked, but flattered at his protectiveness. It makes me happy to know that he cares so much.

“Yeah I guess...but you are still sleeping over” Zayn said. I smiled and nodded, not objecting to that.

“I’m going to go get a nurse, let her know that you’re awake” Nikki said, giving me a soft smile and walking out.

“How long have I been out?” I asked, noting how sleep riddened Nikki and Zayn looked.

“4 stressful days” Zayn gulped.

“4 days?!” I exclaimed. “But How?”

“You had so much carbon monoxide and smoke in your lungs that you didn’t have enough oxygen and strength to stay awake. They also kept you knocked out to check for any brain damage and to get you at a steady breathing rate. Sleeping is the steady breathing rate” Zayn explained as if he were an expert. I nodded and decided to take a sip of water, obvious that Zayn wasn’t going to help me.

“So why are you guys here? Where are the others?” I asked, just letting all my minds questions out on the table. Shouldn’t Zayn and Nikki be in school?

“Nikki can stay here since you live with her. She hasn’t left and hasn’t slept at all. I come during visiting hours and Simon forces me to come home, but I haven’t gotten any sleep” Zayn said, looking into my eyes and leaning in closer to me. “Anjelica has tests, and the boys are outside.”

“Why don’t they come in?” I whispered, trying to keep my cool.

“They did, but you were asleep and they couldn’t watch you sleep. It’s hard..you look so..fragile” Zayns voice cracks as he speaks. My heart beats faster at the worried, but caring look in his brown eyes. I blush at how sweet his lips look and the feeling of his hand squeezing my free one. My mind is now thinking clearly and I realise just how close I am to my beloved. The monitor starts to beep and we both look up to see my heart beat out of control. “Nick, are you okay?” Zayn asked, leaning even closer to my face. My blush flames and I struggle to breathe. The effects this boy has on me are now out of control. I take my hand away from his and shove the oxygen mask in my face, taking a deep breath. Seconds later a doctor, a nurse, Nikki and the boys rush in.

“Nick” Liam sighs in relief and Louis can’t smack the smile off his face. Niall chuckles brightly at my blush.

“Ah, looks like you’re awake” the doctor says, adjusting his glasses. My breathing returns to normal and I nod. Zayn runs his hand soothingly rubs his hand over my forehead. I stiffen and the water cup slips out of my hand, splashing to the floor.

“S-sorry” I stamper and squirm awkwardly under everyone's stares. The nurse quickly gets to cleaning up the mess and the doctor goes on to explain to me about my injuries. I have a few burns I will have to tend to, a pulled muscle in my back, and a pulled muscle in my wrist. I’m gonna have to wrap up my wrist and put ointment on my burns, do breathing exercise twice a day for a while, but that’s it. Keeping me knocked out helped my body repair itself.

“Nick! You’re like superman!” Louis exclaims after the doctor and nurse leaves.

“If I was superman then I wouldn’t be here right now” I said, but couldn’t help but smile at his words.

“Superman was in the hospital too” Niall points out.

“Touche Horan” I pretend to glare at him, but fail. Niall snickered and Liam comes over to stroke my hair.

“But you are a hero. You saved that boys life” Liam coed. I blushed and shrug.

“Don’t just shrug, not only did you save a boy, you saved a cat!! That means something” Harry said, emphasising the cat.

“Hey there trouble maker” I hear a voice say and the boys move to reveal Anjelica.

“‘Jelka!” both Niall and I squeal. Niall pecks Anjelica on the cheek, but she keeps her eyes on me.

“I thought that you were testing?” Niall asks, begging for her attention. I giggled at how cute he was, like a cat begging to be pet.

“I’m a fast test taker” she shrugs. She walks over to me and pats my shoulder “And you’re one crazy firebender” she jokes. I smile up at her, her joke about avatar definately lifting my spirits. I look around the room at everyone’s smiling faces.

“Do I ever tell you guys how much I love you?” I said, eyes watering at remembering the thought of dying without telling them that I love them.

“HAve we ever told you how much we love you?” Zayn said, making my monitor go crazy again.

Notes

I hope you're happy @eponinetozayn!! He made me swear that I update today, so I did. And now I'm super tired and have to get up early for school tomorrow :/ You can all go thank him
Anyways...like this update? What do yaaa think? Thank you so much for reading! AND I deeply apologize for any and all mistakes I have made in this story, I will eventually one day go and fix them. Love you guys
!
this is calum! he is from the band 5 seconds of summer if you didn't know and yes, he is older in real life so just pretend that he's younger in this story :)